Cutting Broken Leaves

[AmandaS]

I ordered a zygopetalaum and a dendrobium off the internet. They arrived with dead roots, black spots, and several broken leaves. (macrovulgaris on ebay, not to mention she creates price wars and her products blow, I didn't know but don't buy from her)

Anyway. The leaves look stupid and I want to cut them off at the point where they are broken and bent in half. There is brown around these spots and I suspect it is just broken but due to all the black spots on the tips of both plant's leaves I wonder if it might still be insects. I am shocked that someone dealing orchids to this magnitude would have them in this condition, all her plants, which must be over a hundred, must be in poor condition if mine look this way.

I guess my point is, aside from my little rant (sorry guys I had to), can I just cut these leaves you think or should I do something to heal them? Obviously I will use a clean blade but should I use resin or something too? Thanks!

I should take some pics

[AmandaS]

I am afraid to put these new plants near all my others because they could have some disease or infestation

[Dorothy]

It's always best to isolate any new orchids that you add to your collection.
Please post photos so we can help you assess your new acquistions.
Here are sticky threads that will help you post photos on the OB -
First and foremost, resize your pictures - this thread contains a simple application if you need it -
Resizing Images...originally posted 6/13/06 by Marty

These threads also appear permanently in the Beginner's Discussion forum if you need to refer to them -
Thumbnail pics in posts
Gallery Photos
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask

[whygreenberg]

A big favorite around the board here is to use cinnamon on the edges of cut or damaged tissue. It is extremely drying (so keep it well away from roots!) and I believe has some anti-fungal properties.

[AmandaS]

These are the zygo. I am trying to tell if the break in the leaf is just a break w/ brown damaged part or if the brown is from some bug or something and that is why the leaf broke. You can also see the black spots towards the tip of the leaves, it is like that one them all, I know zygo's sometimes do this but I don't know if it could be another cause.

[AmandaS]

And this is the dendrobium. Where the zygo leaf seems weak and unable to support itself the dendrobium seems just snapped in half. Again, is the brown because it broke or some insect? No spots though. They were shipped together in open bags so I would think if one would have a problem the other might?

Thanks everyone for any insight. None of my other guys have any brown, I'm unsure of it. And I did move the 2 new plants far from my older ones.

Do you think I can cut both leaves at an angle below the break? I will try some cinnamon too. Thanks.

[whygreenberg]

My feeling from the photos is that the damage is probably not bug-related. Some of it just looks like, well, damage, from being crushed or something. The black spots on the Zygo could be fungal, perhaps from water sitting on the leaves.

Hopefully some other members will put in their too.

[BikerDoc5968]

Personally, the leaves look like they have been traumatized and the vendor just sent out poor quality goods in hopes that the recipient, in this case, you would just accept them as great stuff and tankful to receive them. I'm sure you paid dearly for them and expected no less in return....from my perspective, they are damaged goods and should be returned at vendor's expense....maybe this is a bit harsh, but my pocketbook is near and dear to me....just my thoughts and

[AmandaS]

Thank you for your thoughts, that is exactly how I feel as well. They are not in the condition I expected and pair for and I waited over a month for them. The seller is ignoring me now anyway and it is incredibly annoying. She has countless orchids listed on Ebay and is one of the only people on Ebay selling them. Ridiculous.

[BikerDoc5968]

While I have never used eBay, I believe there is a way that you can "label" this vendor with a nasty bad report...this may get them to respond....??????